Cardiology & cardiac services
Early detection and treatment of a heart condition is crucial in preventing further serious concerns from developing.
Heart conditions can present themselves in several ways, from skipped heartbeats and palpitations to chest pain, breathlessness, or even fainting. While these symptoms are not always an indication of a heart problem, they may be a cause of concern that needs further investigation. It’s important to rule out any potential heart problems by seeking specialist advice.
At The Priory Hospital, we offer a full range of cardiac investigative tests and procedures, often with the ability to provide same-day results. If you’ve already been diagnosed with a heart condition, our consultants can provide you with fast-track access to a wide variety of treatment options, including the latest heart surgery techniques.
If you’re worried about your heart, the last thing you need is a lengthy wait for an appointment to see an expert cardiologist. Book an appointment today to see a heart consultant at The Priory Hospital without delay.
Cardiology is the field of medicine that focuses on conditions and issues relating to the heart, the surrounding blood vessels, and the cardiovascular system.
A cardiologist is a doctor who specialises in diagnosing and treating any conditions affecting the heart, as well as helping you manage your heart and cardiovascular system’s health. They can also work in emergency situations for life-threatening conditions, such as a heart attack or stroke.
The cost of cardiology diagnostics and treatment will depend on your individual circumstances. At the time of your appointment, your consultant will discuss all options with you and ensure all your questions are answered.
At The Priory Hospital, we welcome patients with or without full medical insurance. Cardiac issues are often covered by private health insurance, but you should speak to your provider to find out.
If you are paying for your own treatment, our fixed-price packages include the cost of your relevant treatment and all appropriate aftercare appointments. However, any pre-surgery diagnostic tests and your consultant's outpatient appointment consultation fee are charged separately.
Our flexible payment options help you spread the cost of your payment across a period that suits you.
Atrial fibrillation (also referred to as Afib or AF) is a heart rhythm disturbance caused by chaotic electrical activity in the upper chambers of the heart (atrium). This can cause the heart to beat irregularly and usually faster than usual, resulting in palpitations.
Treatment options include medication or ablation. These methods help to reduce palpitations or stop AF and restore normal rhythm.
Atrial flutter is a type of heart rhythm disorder, called an arrhythmia. It is caused by a single short circuit, often in the top right chamber of the heart, that causes the affected part of the heart to beat too quickly. This can cause symptoms such as heart palpitations, fast pulse, shortness of breath, dizziness, and a lack of energy.
To diagnose atrial flutter, you may be asked to go through a series of diagnostic tests such as blood tests, an electrocardiogram, or an echocardiogram.
Heart murmurs are extra, unusual sounds in the heartbeat that happen when blood flows chaotically through the heart. Murmurs may indicate a problem with the heart valves. However, they can also be benign.
Typically, your doctor can discover if you have a murmur with a stethoscope. However, an echocardiogram is the best way to determine the cause of a murmur.
High blood pressure or hypertension occurs when the force of blood against your artery walls is consistently too high, meaning the heart must work harder to pump blood.
High blood pressure is incredibly common in the UK. If you have the condition, you may not be aware you have it. This is because high blood pressure often doesn’t present symptoms in the early stages. Often, you will only find out you have the condition through regular blood pressure checks at your local doctor.
If left untreated, high blood pressure can lead to many serious concerns, such as heart failure, a stroke, or a heart attack.
Coronary heart disease happens when your coronary arteries become narrowed by a build up of fatty material called plaque, which reduces blood flow to the heart.
This can cause symptoms such as chest pain, light headedness, nausea, shortness of breath, pain, and discomfort in the arms or shoulders. It can also present as tightness or heaviness in the upper body, as well as indigestion.
Coronary heart disease doesn’t always present symptoms, and it may only be picked up during routine scans of your heart’s health.
During your first consultation with one of our cardiac specialists, they will ask about your symptoms, including when they started and how frequently you experience them, and your medical history. If you’ve already undergone some diagnostic tests, your consultant will assess your results and may examine you to build their own opinion of your condition.
If your consultant suspects you may have a heart condition, they may recommend you go for an electrocardiogram (ECG) or an ultrasound scan of your heart. This will help to give a better overview of your heart’s health and a more accurate picture of what’s going on. If something is picked up on the scan or your consultant feels further investigations are necessary, you will then be booked in for further procedures or tests.
Diagnostic procedures you may be referred for at The Priory Hospital include:
A cardiac catheterisation procedure or a coronary angiogram are more invasive diagnostic testing that may be requested if a clearer picture of your heart is needed. These can be carried out as a day-case procedure at The Priory Hospital.
Once your results are in, we will ask you to come in again so your consultant can go through the test results with you. They will also discuss what treatment options may be appropriate going forward.
If any surgical intervention is required, we will make sure this is processed as soon as possible. Generally, your appointment should be booked within two to three weeks.
If no surgical intervention is required, you may be prescribed appropriate medications and guided on any necessary lifestyle changes. At The Priory Hospital, our consultants can also review your current medications and advise you if any changes are needed.
There are many treatment options available to help treat issues troubling your heart. Your treatment options will depend on the type of condition you have been diagnosed with.
Some of the most commonly recommended options include:
Healthy lifestyle changes are a highly effective way of helping to improve your heart condition and general health.
This can include implementing a regular exercise routine, eating a nutritious diet (particularly cutting down salt), stopping smoking and drinking alcohol, practising relaxation techniques, and keeping good sleep hygiene to ensure you get a good night’s sleep.
These changes are key to helping control your condition, ease your symptoms, and improve everyday living.
If lifestyle changes aren’t effective on their own or if necessary for the type of heart condition you may have, medication treatment may be recommended. They work by helping to manage your symptoms, preventing complications, and improving your heart’s function.
Types of medications that may be recommended include aspirin, beta blockers, statins, novel anticoagulants, and diuretics.
There are many surgical options available, both minimally invasive and more intensive. These can include:
In general, most operations use keyhole techniques. This means you are more likely to be able to go home the day after the procedure or even the same day. If your operation involves opening your chest, such as a heart transplant, you will be kept with us in recovery for longer so we can monitor your health after the procedure.
Post operation, your consultant will generally see you for a check-up appointment around four to six weeks after the procedure.
At The Priory Hospital, we have our own state-of-the-art cardiac catheter laboratory (cardiac cath lab) that is fully equipped with the latest diagnostic equipment for testing and treating a wide range of cardiac problems.
We can provide treatment for complex conditions, including endovascular aneurysm repairs, and the procedure can be carried out on site at The Priory Hospital. Our outpatient beds provide a safe and comfortable place in which to recover from an operation.
You can rest assured that you are in good hands with our wide range of expert consultants. You will be treated by a team of highly skilled cardiology consultants, many of whom are leaders in their own specialities, including our cardiac surgeons who have performed hundreds of heart procedures in their careers. You will always be under the care of the same consultant throughout your entire treatment, so you have a consistent quality of care throughout your stay with us.
You can also expect:
You will often be able to see a top cardiology consultant within days.
All our patients benefit from the reassurance of The Priory Hospital’s own onsite intensive care unit (ICU), staffed 24/7 by an expert team willing to help you any time with any concerns. The ICU facilities also allow our surgeons to take on the complex major surgeries that other private healthcare providers cannot.
We can provide a wide range of services from interventional cardiology procedures to diagnostics in the form of angiograms, complex angioplasty, pacemakers, biventricular and implantable defibrillators, electrophysiology studies, ablation, and PFO closure.
To book your initial consultation with one of our cardiologists near you, use our online booking system or give us a call, and one of our dedicated advisors will help you find an appointment time that suits you.
When you choose to go private with Circle Health Group, you can expect:
If you want to know more about cardiology treatment and find out if it's the right approach for you, book your appointment online today.
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